A/N: I know in one of the movies we learn that Inu-Yasha is 200 years old, but I hadn't seen the film when I first wrote this. I made him younger instead. Sorry!


- CHAPTER THREE – ANGER -


Kagome's mouth fell open as she craned her neck to look up. After resting the night, the trio had journeyed all morning. Now, giant mountains soared before them, blanketed in layers of white, jagged peaks that seemed to touch the clouds. She stared at rocky overhangs coated in ice and frozen, glistening icicles dangling low. Snow lay piled in fresh mounds everywhere, glittering as if just deposited.

"How is this possible?" She turned to the hanyou beside her. "It's still summer."

Inu-Yasha kept his face even, secretly pleased she was impressed. "One of my men can manipulate the weather," he said simply.

Kagome crossed her arms in the chill. "Enough to keep all this from melting?"

"He began icing trails through the mountains decades ago," he explained. It had been no small task; he remembered it well. Planks of wood used for clumsy attempts at reckless surfing had been involved.

"Decades?" Kagome shook her head in disbelief. "How old is he?"

Inu-Yasha shrugged. "One-hundred-forty-something I think."

"WHAT?!"

He hiked a thumb to his comrade. "Miroku's pushing one-eighty."

The man to his left frowned. "Thanks for that."

Kagome pulled her gaze from the mountain and appraised her kidnapper. "How old are you?"

Inu-Yasha cleared his throat, annoyed he hadn't seen the question coming. Of course she would ask. "Old enough," he said.

"Older than Miroku?"

"No," Miroku leaned forward and spoke over Inu-Yasha's chest. "Younger. Much younger."

"Really?" Kagome poked her head out from Inu-Yasha's right side. He had just become invisible. "Then why does he lead the Ouja?"

"His father created the clan to serve as a haven."

Interest lit her face. "So, his father was a full youkai?"

"Indeed."

Inu-Yasha growled low. "Quiet."

His second-in-command straightened, but Kagome, still curious, peered farther over. "Are you a hanyou as well?"

Miroku nodded. "Half wind demon."

"Why do you look human?"

He gave an indulgent smile. "Not all hanyou come with claws and pointy ears."

Inu-Yasha flexed a hand, letting his inhuman nails glint in the sunlight. "The powerful ones do," he smirked.

Two sets of eyes rolled.

"Are we going to stand here all day?" He ignored their lack of humor. "Make yourself useful Miroku."

The man obliged and drew back heavy sleeves. "Here's my difference Kagome," he spread his palms wide, and she watched his fingers begin to lengthen and twist, as if made of air. His arms followed, losing their solid form, and soon his entire body wavered like smoke. A blur of purple and black, he started circling the pair, spinning faster and faster.

Kagome gasped as her feet lifted off the ground. She looked to Inu-Yasha, who wore a bored expression.

"Don't forget the bag," he called.

It rose up and joined them as they climbed into the sky, passing the tree line in moments. Kagome held her breath, not daring to move, while Inu-Yasha yawned and scratched his ears.

"Relax," he spoke without glancing over. "I've done this countless times."

She refused to answer. Visions of Miroku losing concentration and dropping her hundreds of feet drew her mouth into a thin line.

Inu-Yasha frowned suddenly. "Oi!" His voice sharpened, and he glared at the blur surrounding them. "Quit staring!"

"Sorry."

Kagome heard the word like a breeze by her ear and palmed the front of her dress self-consciously.

Miroku tried to defend himself. "Her attire makes it hard not to."

Inu-Yasha eyed her tattered clothes, stained and hardened with the blood she'd only managed to wash from her face and arms in a nearby stream. Untying his haori, he shrugged out of it quickly. "Put this on."

Kagome unclamped her lips. "What? Right now?"

The crumpled garment poured from his fingers, hanging between them. "No, next year," he rolled his eyes. "Yes now."

"Why?"

"Because your nipples have distracted Miroku since we reached the colder climate of the mountains."

Kagome forgot her fear and hugged an entire arm to her chest. "You can't say things like that!"

Annoyance flickered across his face. "You asked why."

"My body is not free for comment!"

Inu-Yasha sighed. "Haven't we argued about this already?"

She felt her ire flare. "Obviously not enough!"

"Just put it on."

It didn't matter that the ground was growing small beneath her, all Kagome could see were amber eyes starting to fume. "If I do, your clan will think I belong to you."

Another eye-roll. "That's the point."

"No one owns me."

"I do."

Kagome lifted her chin. "You don't."

Inu-Yasha shook his head, muttering at the stubbornness standing on two feet before him. Did she ever tire of making things so difficult? "You will wear this," he stuck the haori under her nose. "It'll tell my men not to touch you."

Bitterness welled in her throat. "Why bother?" She scoffed. "I'm their entertainment."

Inu-Yasha's features contorted, and he bared a rare glimpse of fang, bursting out in a holler. "You're NOT!"

Kagome faltered, confused as she watched his chest heave, sudden fury pulling his frown painfully deep.

Inu-Yasha knew she was studying him, knew she saw too much, but the thought of her with any of his men made him see red. He'd said it to play his part, and now couldn't imagine ever letting it happen. "I've changed my mind," he snapped. "I can do that. You're not for anyone else."

Kagome didn't want to think about his reaction; the less she interpreted, the better. She lifted her chin. "I have a mouth," her free hand fell to her hip. "I can tell them myself."

Inu-Yasha spoke blindly, groping for an evading calm. "Like you told Naraku?" He grew nasty. "Did that work when he came at you? Was he listening the other night?"

A gasp sounded from the swirling air around them.

Kagome flinched as if he'd struck her. Shock and hurt left her momentarily speechless, and she felt Naraku's weight on her limbs again, once more underneath him on the street. The hand at her hip fell dead at her side.

Inu-Yasha watched her small frame crumple in on itself and knew instantly he'd erred. "Look, I just meant—."

The window to her true feelings slammed shut, and Kagome straightened, turning thunderous. "Shut up!"

"I just don't want you to get hur—."

"SHUT UP!" She screamed.

His ears flattened at her volume, and his anger resurged. "Don't talk to me like that!" He roared, finding indignation easier than remorse.

Kagome's eyes were dark and flashing as her mouth curved down in a hanyou-like snarl. "Don't talk to me AT ALL!"

Inu-Yasha shook the fire-rat robe in his fist. "Put on the damn haori!"

"NO!"

"We're here," Miroku interjected, cresting the lip of a rock ledge. A worn path edged by snow spread out before them.

Kagome only dimly heard. "That was low, Inu-Yasha," his name was harsh and hissed, full of barely-bridled pain, and he exhaled a 'keh' that fooled only her.

"You speak like you could shame me," he muttered.

Kagome's mind screamed, berating in a fevered pitch. How had she possibly thought, for even a moment, that her captor was anything more than what he seemed? A chance inflection in his words? A glimmer of caring? How could she have been so stupid?! She fought down other dark memories of Naraku atop her, whispering his hate and pleasure as if bestowing a gift. No one had been there to save her then. Wrapping herself in fury, she let her insides seethe and burn. "Shame you?" She spat. "What a ridiculous thought. You'd have to possess actual decency first."

Kagome had no room for relief as her feet touched the cold stone of the mountain's ledge, and the moment weight settled back into her heels, she turned from the vista and marched down the path. It disappeared into a dark tunnel, and she plunged forward, uncaring where it led—as long as it was far from here.

"Where are you going?" Inu-Yasha called after her.

"Away from you!" She left the tunnel's mouth behind, and the drop in temperature only made her insides blaze hotter.

A second set of footfalls entered as he rushed to follow. Closing her head start, he grabbed her elbow and spun her around.

Kagome cried out, smacking his hand. "Let GO!"

Inu-Yasha's grip tightened, and he snatched her free arm. "Calm down!"

She wrestled against his hold. "I won't wear it! You'll have to MAKE ME!" More flashes of Naraku filled the passage, and the darkness seemed to suffocate.

His claws dug painfully into her skin. "This isn't about the haori."

Her eyes narrowed. "You think you know?"

"I'm not him."

She looked to his hands, holding her fast. "Liar!" She struggled to hit him, and his fingers slid to her wrists, raising them above her head.

Inu-Yasha's last trace of patience dwindled; it was easy to forget the girl's frailty when she spouted nothing but steel. He scowled. "I removed the rope this morning and now you try to strike me?"

"A rope you had no right using!"

"No right? I saved your life!"

Kagome tried yanking her arms down, splaying her elbows wildly. "In what world does saving someone suddenly make them cattle?"

"This one!" He kept her wrists high with ease. "And you're not cattle!"

"You're GODDAMN right!" She continued to struggle. I'm a PERSON, and people shouldn't own other people."

"Well, they do."

"You and Naraku do."

"We aren't the same!"

Kagome stilled. "Oh no?" Rising to her tiptoes, she pushed her face almost into his. "I see a man using his position and strength to get what he wants out of me," her words were thick with accusation. "I see a man keeping me at his side against my will. I see—."

"I see a young girl who knows nothing of the ways of real men," Inu-Yasha's tone grew dangerous as rage tightened in his chest. "Have I beaten you? Forced you to sleep with me? Made you into a joke to service some insecurity?" He pulled away the last inch between them until their noses touched. "Have I?"

Anger lightened his eyes almost yellow, and Kagome gulped, a touch of caution broaching her senses. She started to bow her head, but one of his hands left her wrists, exploding down to her chin to keep it up.

"Don't look away," Inu-Yasha growled. "You accuse and label me. Have the courage to meet my eye when you judge my character."

Kagome stilled, waiting for a back-handed cuff. None came. Heat rose in her cheeks, and she shook her chin from his grasp. "You seek to humble me, but it's YOU who holds ME captive. I have just as much right to freedom as you!"

"None of us have rights!" Inu-Yasha shouted. "We have only what we can claw out for ourselves!"

"Then I should start scratching now!" She shouted back, wrenching herself out from his torso and fighting against his remaining grip. Twisting an arm free, she jabbed her nails deep into his forearm

"Knock it off!" He snarled, grabbing for her wrists again. "I could've left you in Kanaka!"

She dodged, and he swiped only air. "At least I wouldn't have to hear you throw it in my face!"

Inu-Yasha cursed. With lightning reflexes, he snatched both her elbows and bent them behind her back. Again, he drew her close. "Here with me is better than being there with him," he spoke through clenched teeth as their chests battled each other for breath, expanding in tandem.

Kagome flinched as he tightened his hold. "Says you," she muttered.

Frown filled his face. "You claim I use strength, but you have no idea what I'm capable of," his claws squeezed harder, straining her shoulder blades until they almost touched. Inu-Yasha was completely caught up. Her flashing eyes, her angry mouth, her hot temper – he felt himself almost drown. "I restrain myself because I'm not a man who needs to damage women to feel important," his voice was deepening in something more primal than ire.

Kagome bit down, refusing to cry out. "What do you think you're doing right now?" She managed.

Her words broke through a churn of unfamiliar instincts wrestling for control. They told him this desirable female should be tamed and conquered – not reasoned with. Inu-Yasha resisted the thoughts, easing his grip instead. "I-I was… making a point," he searched her frame, checking to see how much he'd injured her. Matching wills, he had forgotten she was only human.

Her arms and back ached, but the burn was minimal. Kagome saw him look her over and squared her shoulders. "More like destroying one," she growled. "I won't be intimidated by you."

Inu-Yasha didn't lift his gaze, hunting for any telltale signs of pain. She had made her body an unreadable wall, and he felt the first gnaws of guilt cool his temper. He had hurt her. "I don't want to intimidate you," he reined back more of his youkai half, coming as close to an apology as he could muster. "You're the one who's overreacting."

"Overreacting?" Kagome's voice hiked high. "How should I act when you speak of one thing and do another?"

Inu-Yasha loosened his hold further. "We were talking about a haori!"

"You were the one who said we weren't!"

"Stop yelling!"

"YOU!"

They stared at each other, their shared air strained and charged. Kagome breathed in ragged, uneven bursts, shoulders rising and falling fast, and Inu-Yasha's chest heaved with equal fervor. Blue-gray eyes dared amber ones to back down, but they didn't.

Quiet as thick as the tunnel's darkness fell. In the silence, they noticed for the first time the lack of space between them. Inu-Yasha still held her arms behind her back, towering over her with a stern glare. Kagome's legs were braced apart to maintain balance, and he had stepped into her, pressing himself along her torso and waist. The force of his caging hold was minimal; she could've stepped back, retreating to the passage's wall, but her feet stayed locked in place.

Inu-Yasha suffered a similar ailment; his hands rioted and refused to release her. The girl's warmth was seamless, her scent heavy, and without the distraction of exchange, it coated his senses, consuming his shredded self-control. Unable to help himself, he began sniffing at her cheek and jaw, trailing his nose along her skin, journeying to her neck. Wayward locks of black hair lay in a tangled mess over her shoulders, and he inhaled deeply, smelling a richness uniquely her.

Kagome tensed as his nose tickled its way behind her ear. "W-What are you doing?"

One of the hands at her elbows slid up to her collarbone and fingered an unseen point just below it.

"Hmmmm?" His voice had grown suddenly distracted as instincts he rarely felt towards the fairer sex continued to vie for dominance.

"Inu-Yasha," she turned her face from his. "Please stop," she ordered her feet to move, but they stayed immobile, apparently content to remain pushed up against the man who had just made her more furious than she could remember.

They were breathing each other's air, tasting remnants of hot fury in the cool dim. Inu-Yasha bent his head, blocking her vision with white hair. He drew back his lips and generated a rumble from deep in his throat, nipping her collar. It was more bite than kiss, but didn't break the skin. Kagome jumped.

Sensing her reaction, color climbed his face as he realized what he was doing. Inu-Yasha whipped his head up, nearly knocking her chin, and hastily withdrew his hands, allowing her to step out from his chest.

Kagome said nothing of his momentary loss of lucidity, instead rubbing the ache from her shoulders with a cringe. Inu-Yasha watched her and cleared his throat in extreme discomfort, as much from revealing an urge he didn't know he couldn't control as for hurting her. He obviously hadn't held back his strength as much as he'd thought.

"Are you going to wear my haori or not?" He finally asked.

"Not," she answered automatically, her mind miles away. Why hadn't her body listened? What the hell had he been doing? Kagome resisted the impulse to finger the patch of skin his teeth had grazed.

Still in disarray, Inu-Yasha tried to collect himself. "Suit yourself," he wiped her smell from his cheek. "You'll regret it."

"How's that?"

"Regret what?" Having morphed back to solid by the ledge, Miroku strode down the trail toward them.

Inu-Yasha nodded to the short, tattered remnants of Kagome's dress. Skin peeked everywhere. "Keeping her current outfit," he said.

Miroku beamed. "She looks great. Definitely worth the wait you two had me endure with that lover's quarrel," his words and expression were light, but inside, his thoughts were troubled. He had witnessed the whole exchange in the shadows, and had seen Inu-Yasha move in to make the mark of mating. Never had his leader attempted such an act, he was barely of age to even do so. Miroku knew it wasn't the time to ask. Pushing down his disquiet, he turned admiring eyes on Kagome. "Just like a woman should be. Scantily clad and proud of it," he said.

Pink bloomed in her face, and Kagome realized with a sinking feeling Inu-Yasha was already right; she did regret her refusal. Any clothing would cover her more than what she wore now.

"So true," Inu-Yasha joined Miroku's grin, letting his swirling current of confusion, desire, and frustration drain.

She flashed the dog hanyou an indignant glare. "I hate you."

His grin started to deflate, but he managed to keep it. "You've made that quite clear," he said. "But remember, this was your choice."

A tense moment passed as Kagome wrestled with an inner argument they weren't privy to. Both men shared a look as she thrust out a fuming hand.

Her order was clipped. "Give it."

"Give what?" Inu-Yasha asked.

A vein appeared in her forehead. "Your haori."

"This?" He shook the fire-rat robe, mocking innocence. "What for?"

The vein popped bigger. "So I can wear it."

"Wait, wait," he made no attempt to hide his delight. "You… want to wear this? My haori? On you?"

Kagome bit her lip so hard it paled to white. "Yes."

"But after all that?" His smile strengthened once more. "Won't it show my ownership—?"

"Give me your goddamn shirt!"

Inu-Yasha obliged, tossing it over. The material was crumpled and wrinkled from their fight, pressed between them as they'd tried to outdo each other. Kagome snatched it angrily and spun around.

"She's already begging you out of your clothes!" Miroku clapped, applauding the other man. "If only I had such command over the female mind."

Kagome's glare turned to livid fire, and Miroku's hands froze. Cupping his mouth, the wind demon leaned to his leader. "She's had practice with those stares."

Inu-Yasha 'hmphed', watching her. "After all that," he spoke as if Miroku hadn't. "I won."

"Jackass."

The insult made him surprisingly relieved; she seemed unphased by his near-bite. "Starting up with the pet names again?" He asked.

Kagome untied the sash at her waist. "Just wait."

"Waiting," Inu-Yasha tapped his foot, rolling a hand for her to hurry up.

She inspected the haori at arm's length. "Are you going to stand there gawking or what?"

"Of course!" Miroku moved closer.

Claws clamped down on his shoulder.

"No, no! Absolutely not," Miroku swiveled to face the opposite wall, sighing at the outline of rock as Inu-Yasha joined him. Listening to the shuffle of cloth and the creak of tying, he palmed his face. "Sometimes, you make me sad."

Inu-Yasha patted his friend's back. "Being normal is good for you once in awhile. You need to learn there's more to life than naked women."

"So says the man who can count those women on one hand."

"At least I don't have to use that hand on myself."

"Quiet."

Inu-Yasha cleared his throat.

"Sir."

"I'm done," Kagome called, giving a small twirl as they turned.

She had wrapped the haori around her middle, tying it with the sash of her old dress, and Inu-Yasha took in the outline of her collarbone and bare shoulders with wide eyes.

Scars laced her exposed skin in a history of punishments, many light and healing, but others thick and fresh. All were jarring. Along with sudden outrage, choking in a way their argument could never touch, Inu-Yasha felt a swell of pride in his stomach. The girl had fought her enslavement at every turn.

A small, red patch marred her chest where he'd almost marked her as his, and a low heat began to simmer in his cheeks. He shouldn't have added to her collection. Another unbidden, unwanted brand.

Inu-Yasha let his stare trail down, noting curving hips and long legs decidedly more pronounced than before. "It'd be better over your face," he said gruffly.

"Oh?" Kagome itched at a bit of blood still in her hair. "Is that why your eyes can't seem to meet mine?"

Inu-Yasha snapped his head up at once. "Shut up."

"Wasn't the original plan to deter your men?"

"They're so desperate, even your heavy set won't put them off."

She scoffed out a harsh laugh. "From what I hear, you've got a number close to desperate."

Her knack at comebacks continued to impress – and infuriate. "Hardly," Inu-Yasha's frown returned. "I have high standards."

"Is that code for 'fragile ego'?"

"You'd know," the scowl lifted into a smirk. "Bet you're upset not being on that list."

Their banter was different than before – lighter and mocking. Neither wanted to repeat the home-hitting tirade they'd just come through.

"Ooo," Kagome faked a wound in the chest. "You got me. Truth stings."

"Like your face!"

"Are you four?! Worst yet!"

"Coming from the queen of crappy comebacks!"

She clutched tighter. "Ow. Another zinger."

Miroku divided his gaze between them. Going from a fight where they had flung names and accusations like throwing stars, to badgering each other like old friends, it was dizzying trying to keep up.

"Do you ever stop?" He asked.

Inu-Yasha's ears twisted to his comrade. "Stop what?"

"This," Miroku gestured back and forth.

The pair looked to each other.

"What, standing?" Kagome turned her bite on him. "Breathing?"

Miroku frowned. He didn't appreciate the sarcasm like Inu-Yasha appeared to. "Arguing," he said.

Surprise filled both of their faces.

"We're not fighting," the dog hanyou shook his head.

"We just hate each other," she said matter-of-factly.

Inu-Yasha's ears wilted. He nodded in agreement, not knowing they gave him away.

Miroku arched an eyebrow. "I beg to differ. The air between you two is so thick it's practically toxic. If anything, I think you're both harboring some pent-up—."

Kagome cut it. "It's loathing that bogs our air

"And your scent," Inu-Yasha said smugly.

"See?" She made a face. "There's no hidden depth. I know he's an idiot."

"And she likes to tell me in a variety of ways," he added.

Miroku's eyes lit up with amusement. "Finishing each other's sentences now?"

"No," they answered together.

"Of course," he smiled.

Inu-Yasha rolled his eyes; Miroku had obviously seen him at her collar. "She's not my type. I like pretty girls."

"Hey!" Kagome frowned. "At five conquests, you should be so lucky! You must have the experience of a boy still living at home!"

"Lucky?" He grunted. "Perhaps if I were blind, deaf, and had no sense of taste or touch."

"Oh, come on Inu-Yasha," Miroku's grin grew. "Her scent alone would beguile the best of men."

Inu-Yasha scrunched up his nose as if catching a whiff of something gone bad. "Maybe a man who'd spent a lifetime digging latrines."

Miroku leaned towards Kagome. "He's lying. It's intoxicating. It makes me want to father your children."

She jerked away. "I'll take the latrine-digger."

Inu-Yasha knew Miroku was just goading him, but seized Kagome's arm with a protective jealousy he couldn't quite hide, pulling her tight to him. "You're such a pervert."

"What?" Miroku palmed his chest, noting the reaction; he would have many questions later. "After one hundred-eighty years, I can't look for someone to carry on my line?"

"You've been asking for as long as I've known you."

"Which has only been—."

Inu-Yasha glowered, and Miroku swallowed the number.

From Inu-Yasha's side, Kagome looked up. "Are you close to me in years?"

"No, no. He's older than that," Miroku answered for him. "Humans his age don't draw the thoughts in others you do," his eyes wandered down her body, making his point.

Inu-Yasha bristled with warning, and the other hanyou lifted them immediately.

"I was merely ascertaining her age," he offered innocently.

Kagome shifted closer, and Inu-Yasha's fingers almost slid to her waist. The fact she hadn't drawn away, even lingering as if his hip were refuge, filled him with an excitement he knew he shouldn't feel. Struggling not to read too much into it, he let his arm thud lamely behind her. "By imagining your hands on her?" He growled.

Miroku shrugged. "We know I only like young maidens."

"It's obvious she's young."

Kagome shook her head. "I'm almost to my twentieth year."

Inu-Yasha scoffed. "I'm mistaken. No wonder you've let yourself go."

She rolled her eyes as Miroku studied the scars and welts along her skin, some of them old, others fresh. "Have you been with Naraku your whole life?" He asked absently.

Inu-Yasha cringed and rushed to speak for her, shooting the other man a reproving look. "Only a year."

The girl sighed. "I didn't start out as a slave."

Inu-Yasha's eyes bugged. Mentioning her former master earned him a screaming match and Miroku a sigh? He grappled with irritation before interest got the better of him. "What then?" He asked.

Kagome fell quiet.

"Well?"

She frowned again. "Am I going to meet this clan of yours or what?"

Miroku grew curious. "I believe we've broached a subject not open for discussion," he tilted his head. "What were you?"

Inu-Yasha felt a shake begin in her; it crossed the space between them and spoke aloud.

Don't ask. Please.

"Forget it," he pulled her around to face the path ahead. "We've wasted enough talk on her."

Gratitude seeped from the girl in waves, and she surprised him, slipping her hand into his and squeezing. Her palm withdrew as they began walking, and Inu-Yasha's fingers flexed in the air at the sudden emptiness.

They marched in silence, Miroku carrying the bag of jangling silver as he followed. The clanking metal reverberated off high walls and alerted a hulking sentry waiting ahead.

Inu-Yasha knew who was stationed at the tunnel's end, but still jumped as the guard stepped out from the shadows. He was never quite prepared for the ape-like arms, orange skin, and bulging eyes of Jinenji.

Jinenji bowed low. "Welcome back, Lord Inu-Yasha."

Inu-Yasha expected Kagome to draw back in fear. Instead, she turned to him with a dry look.

"Lord?"

"Only Jinenji calls him that," Miroku motioned the guard over.

The massive hanyou lumbered forward and took the sack Miroku held out expectantly, braving a brief glance at Kagome before shuffling to let them pass. Inu-Yasha pushed at her waist, but she resisted, stepping from his hold.

"I'm Kagome," she waved.

Jinenji lifted his head, looking to the right and left to see who she spoke to.

She offered a smile. "It must be lonely watching this entrance all by yourself."

Jinenji stared at the ground, unaccustomed to strangers addressing him as if he were a person who could answer. "I'm used to it," he pulled on the bottom of his ill-fitting shirt.

"Want company some time?" She asked.

His cheeks flushed bright red, and big eyes shot to Inu-Yasha. "That's alright, my lady," he shook his head.

Kagome reached up and touched his wrist. "Are you a hanyou?"

He made a noise resembling a snort. "I should think my features give that away."

She didn't falter. "What about them? They suit you."

Jinenji looked up, gaze going wider. "Thank you, Lady Kagome."

Inu-Yasha frowned, looking between them. "Come on," he started walking, and Miroku joined him.

Kagome hesitated. "Nice to meet you Jinenji. I'm sure I'll see you again soon," she gave a last smile and traipsed after the pair.

"Bye," he stared at the wrist where her fingers had been.

The tunnel opened into a large cavern. Torches stood propped up at angles in the rock, circling high overhead and casting sputtering shadows across the path. In the wavering light, Kagome saw footprints of every kind stamped in the dirt and stopped to crouch down, tracing the outline of tiny paws and five-toed human feet much smaller than hers.

"You have children here?" Her voice echoed into the cavern.

Inu-Yasha looked over his shoulder. "So?"

She shrugged. "I just imagined something different. I didn't know families lived here," she couldn't see it – cherub-faced toddlers with tails and fangs, running amongst the knees of indulging, patient parents.

His back tensed. "They don't."

"What?"

"Come on," Inu-Yasha kept walking.

Kagome rose from her crouch, glancing back at the prints before hurrying to his side.

"Why?"

He growled. "Why what?"

"Why don't any families live here?"

Inu-Yasha looked from the corner of his eye. "It doesn't matter," his glare gave her a rare moment of prudence, and she dropped it.

They continued through the cavern. At its end, massive stone doors towered high, nestled in a matching rock face, with heavy, rusting rings serving as handles. Inu-Yasha lifted one absently. The stone scraped and groaned along the ground as he pulled, swinging a slow arc out across the vast space.

Miroku gripped Kagome's elbow and backed up with her as light spilled in from the other side. She craned on her tip-toes, trying to see over the wind demon.

"You're taller than Inu-Yasha," she noted.

Dog ears swiveled back towards her

She saw and provoked further. "I think your frame is broader too."

They twitched.

Miroku beamed. "You're easy on the eyes as well," he reached behind and cupped her backside, assuming it was a logical next step to their exchange.

Kagome yelped. "Pervert!" Her slap cracked into the cave.

Inu-Yasha turned, wearing triumph. "You can walk in on his 'bigger' arm if you want."

She trudged forward and grudgingly took a white-sleeved elbow.

Inu-Yasha drew his arm to his side, pinching her hand. "Serves you right. You think you'd have learned your lesson about my second-in-command already."

"He is taller," she insisted.

"You like me more."

"Ha! What a choice!"

He squeezed her hand again, tempering his strength to make the pressure teasing instead of painful.

Mumbling curses, Kagome followed him into the light, entering a smaller room carved from rock. In contrast to the barren outer cave, lavish decoration was sprawled throughout; rugs lounged across the floor, and ornate tapestries were draped everywhere. Kagome spied bolts of silk and gold-trimmed brocade piled in a corner, with open crates in another, overloaded with copper pieces, bronzed armor, and tins of spice.

A rough-hewn table sat in the room's center, occupied by two, burly hanyou playing cards. Each wore a heavy breastplate and a dense pelt of coarse, brown fur. Kagome thought they almost looked part-kuma. She had never seen bear demons up close and leaned forward on Inu-Yasha's arm.

The hanyou jumped from their seats as the door opened, withdrawing swords in an instant. Cards flew across the table, and each scowled so deeply, Kagome feared they had stumbled into the wrong mountain lair.

"Easy," Inu-Yasha held up a hand. "It's just us."

The one on the right peered with his good eye, his other scarred-over by broken, blistered skin. The sight of Ouja's top two commanders eased his fierceness immediately.

"Sorry Boss," he said, sheathing his weapon.

"Why so nervous?"

"We had another visit while you and Miroku were away."

Kagome stared at the guard reporting in; he was indeed half-kuma, cuffed in thick bear hide at his wrists and waist. He raked a clawless hand through his dreaded mess of hair, unaware of her scrutiny.

Inu-Yasha's outstretched palm curled into a fist. "From the east? Why didn't Jinenji say anything?"

"They entered from one of the southern access caves," the other hanyou stooped to right his fallen chair.

"How many?"

"Twelve. He wasn't with them."

Inu-Yasha's arms tensed, and Kagome's fingers were unfortunate bystanders, mashed into his side. "Coward!" He didn't notice. "Sending only a raiding party!"

The kuma with the scarred eye matched his leader's frown. "Even without him, they killed both southern guards and looted the entire room," he thumped a hand on his armored chest. "We got them though. Bottled them in the door and ripped their flimsy wolf bodies to shreds. Only one escaped."

"Good," Inu-Yasha nodded. "We need to get to the main hall and revise security. The Wolf Prince will send retribution."

The other guard straightened and stared at Kagome. "Who's the girl?"

Inu-Yasha looked down in surprise, having forgotten she was there. Lines creased her forehead, and her mouth had thinned to a trembling line of pain.

He quickly relaxed his arm. "Sorry."

"It's okay," Kagome flexed her fingers, wincing as joints snapped. "You need your wound tended to before you go."

Inu-Yasha touched his torso, annoyed. "Later."

"You've lost a lot of blood," she pressed.

"My men have lost more," he looked to his guards for confirmation, and the second one nodded.

"Six were hurt in the assault," he replied. "And Eiichi's entire arm was bitten off."

"What?!" Kagome forgot her hand, surging from Inu-Yasha's side. "Where? I can help."

She stopped inches from the kuma, and he backed up, uncomfortable with her proximity. "Eiichi is a hebi demon," he said. "Snakes can re-grow limbs. I just mentioned it because he'll be out of commission for awhile."

"And how could you help anyway?" Inu-Yasha waved her away. "You barely treated me in that field."

Kagome felt four sets of eyes appraise her and straightened. "You wanted to know what I was before slavery? I used to be a healer, among other things. My village's healer."

The eyes all widened.

"A good find, Inu-Yasha," the first guard motioned them toward the tunnel they watched over, its steps leading down into darkness. "She'll be useful."
"Wait," he shook his head. "She's been out of practice for a year."

Kagome's frowned. If it was really as bad as they claimed, they didn't have time for this. "I was able to use my skills plenty during my time in Kanaka," she said curtly. "And my knowledge is extensive. I had dozens of remedies memorized before I could run."

"Explains your lack of exercise."

Kagome exhaled in a huff. "Insult all you like, I'm going," she started for the steps, and Inu-Yasha rushed around the table, grabbing a handful of the haori she wore.

"No, you're not."

"What?" She looked to his fingers full of red in confusion.

His grip was firm, and discomfort marred his features. "I don't want you there."

"Why?"

"I…," Inu-Yasha didn't meet her eye. "I'm different in front of my men."

Kagome exhaled again, gusty and louder this time. "Really? You've been a peach up until this point."

"I mean it."

"I don't care," she shrugged. "I can't imagine you being much worse."

Inu-Yasha stood, indecisive. After a long moment, he sighed and released the fabric. Pushing past her, he started through the passage. "Fine. Keep up."

It was her only warning.


Kagome blinked sweat from her eyes and hunched lower, threading a thin cord of sinew into her latest patient's skin; he hissed and propped himself higher up on his elbows, trying to see.

"Be careful, human," he snarled.

"Take your own advice," her nose dropped closer to the wound. "I'm the one sewing your leg closed."

"My body can heal itself without you."

"You're not Eiichi," her fingers were steady as she stitched his gash together. "No one but him is going to regenerate with giant flaps of muscle hanging to the floor."

Bodies rushed around them, carrying towels and bloody bandages, and shouting voices created a steady din. Kagome and her charge were in a corner of the mountain's main hall. In the past hour, she had treated four of the six injured hanyou, and seen demons of every shape, size and lineage. There were men who flew like birds, crawled like spiders, called fire into their very palms, and even one who could only speak telepathically. She had stopped counting how many took up the hall after fifty. Never had she seen so many youkai in one place.

Inu-Yasha had pointed her to Eiichi and then, with Miroku in tow, marched toward a long table covered in maps. She hadn't seen him since. The snake demon had compensated for his absence though, pelting her with oaths of the worst kind. The barrage had continued until she'd started swearing back with more volume and variety. Defeated, the man had fallen to silent brooding while she'd finished wrapping his bloody stump of an arm. It hadn't gotten better from there.

"You're not embroidering, woman," her newest patient snapped. "Finish up!"

Kagome ignored the kitsune; he appeared to be a teenager, but could've been a hundred for all she knew. From the corner of her eye, she spotted his bushy tail, half hidden under him, jerk at her latest pull.

"I'm not hurting you, am I?" She tugged the next stitch extra hard.

"Quit it!" Thick bangs flopped over his forehead. "You did that on purpose!"

"Did not."

"I thought healers were supposed to be gentle!"

"I thought hanyou were supposed to be tough."

"Just do your job!"

"I can fix your leg," Kagome pushed the sinew back in. "But there's no hope for your mouth."

"Funny," he blew the bangs from his eyes, pausing to take in a dried streak of blood in her hair and the white scars on her shoulders. "Whose prize are you anyway?" He asked.

"No one's."

"I mean, who brought you in? Are you from Kanaka?"

Kagome glanced up from her work. "I wasn't brought in. I was kidnapped. And I'm not from Kanaka. I was found there."

The kitsune arched curious brows. "You give plenty of back-talk for a human female."

"What? Humans don't have tongues? Hanyou women can't speak?"

He grinned at her response. "How'd you get this way? You're so…," he searched for a fitting descriptor. "Mouthy."

"Get this way?" Kagome finished tying the final knot. "You make it sound like I caught a disease."

"Did you?"

She glowered. "Sure," she cut the remaining sinew with a nearby knife. "I'm afflicted with intelligence and backbone."

The young man's grin grew. "This is fun. You're so easy to rile. It's almost like foreplay."

Kagome's eye twitched, and she fought back a sigh, thinking how long the work she was about to rip out had just taken her. As she glared, helpless confusion filled her charge's face. He had spoken in earnest, not jest, and she stayed her hand. Obviously, he was not one hundred. She straightened slowly, pressing tired fingers into the small of her back. "All done."

"Hey," he sat up off his elbows. "What's your name?"

Annoyance won out over Kagome's patience. The reserve, already shallow, had taken heavy withdrawals since reaching the mountain. "I brought down your fever, bandaged an infected hand, and just shut your leg," she muttered. "You ask now?"

"You didn't ask mine."

"You winced every time I touched you," she said crossly. "Like I was made of acid!"

He thrust out his good hand. "I'm Shippo."

She didn't want to acquiesce, but knew she should play nice in a den full of half-demons. "Kagome," she took the proffered palm. His hand was smaller than Inu-Yasha's, but the grip was the same, tense with restrained strength. He was careful not to hurt her. The man—or maybe boy?—wore a vest of fur that left his biceps bare, and she could see taut muscles working to hold back.

"What are you looking at?" He asked.

"Nothing," her eyes lifted from the light, blonde fuzz of his arm. "How old are you?"

He grinned. "Forty-one."

"Young?"

"Very. I'm usually put in charge of the children," Shippo pushed against his knees and rose. Standing, he was taller than she thought; his pointed nose and chin easily cleared her brow.

"That's why I went to defend the southern entrance," he said. "I rarely get to fight."

Kagome ventured a smile. "I'd have never known. You fared so well."

He shook his head, brushing away more bangs. "I can see why you were picked up. You'd be desirable to most, if not for the sarcasm."

"Oh no," she mocked a look of distress, palming her cheek. "I better rush to stop. What do I have, if not my level of appeal?"

The kitsune chuckled. "I didn't say I didn't like it."

Kagome ducked her head, embarrassed she had purposefully tried making him laugh. Playing nice didn't mean making friends, she chided silently.

"So, tell me," he asked, taking a step closer. "Who's claimed you?"

Through the clamor and noise, someone coughed into their fist.

"I did," Inu-Yasha appeared from the crowd, holding a rolled-up map. "I should think it obvious, since she wears my haori."

Shippo backed up, bowing slightly. "Inu-Yasha," he looked from Kagome's bare shoulders to the red around her middle. "Of course."

"And she's mine," his leader's voice grew low and menacing. "Exclusively."

"I was just asking."

"I'm sure."

Kagome's smile dropped. "Don't talk like I'm not here."

Hard, amber eyes glared. "I'll talk how I want. And you'll speak when spoken to," Inu-Yasha said curtly. "Come with me. My men can handle the rest," he held out an expectant hand.

"I was going to tend the injury over there next," she motioned to a hanyou cradling a bleeding head with four arms.

"Shippo can treat him," Inu-Yasha flexed his fingers in mid-air. "I won't ask again."

The words were terse – commanding in a way he'd never used on her before. Kagome closed her mouth around further protest and took his hand. He squeezed with less self-control than usual and pulled her from the corner, heading into the hall's fray.

"Bye," she looked over her shoulder, sending apology into the farewell.

Shippo gave a small wave and strode for his multi-limbed comrade, a glum crinkle of misery in his brow. Crossing the boss – on any front – was never wise.

Kagome hurried to keep in stride with Inu-Yasha, jostled on all sides by scale, fur, and armor. "What's your problem?" She asked, staring at an angry back as drawn and tight as when she'd first met Miroku.

"Quiet," Inu-Yasha braced an arm against the throng of the main hall, pushing and shoving a clear path. Approaching hanyou veered off at their leader's frown, and they reached the room's end in minutes.

Kagome stared at four tunnels, all diving off in different directions. Still ensnared in her captor's throttled grip, she turned to him quizzically. "Where are we going?"

"My personal chamber."

"Why?"

"For some privacy," he started for the second passage, and she resisted.

"Why? I'm not finished helping here."

"I think you've done enough," Inu-Yasha tugged on her arm.

Kagome dug her heels into the dirt, bracing her weight against him. "What's this about? Have I done something wrong? Why do I suddenly need to leave?"

Fangs poked out below his frown. "'Suddenly'? I never wanted you here in the first place."

"But—."

"Kagome…," he whispered in warning. "You can't argue with me in front of my men. I told you I would be different."

She ignored his volume. "I didn't say I would be."

"Well, you should," Inu-Yasha flicked his wrist, yanking her forward. "I lead the Ouja. Don't make things hard," the force of his pull was strong and angry, and it sent her tumbling headfirst into him. She shot her free arm to his chest, blocking a jaw-crashing collision, and Inu-Yasha winced as her hand slammed deep into his wound. Between her fingers, Kagome noticed blood beginning to spot the white kosode he wore.

"You want me to look at this? That's why we're leaving?" She drew back in dawning.

"What else?"

"I thought…," her face flushed.

"Don't think," he waved her blush away. "You're no good at it."

She felt a group enter the hall from the first tunnel. Catching sight of their commander, they stopped to gawk – as much at her as Inu-Yasha.

What was their problem?

Spurred by their stare, Kagome rose to her tip-toes, hissing low. "If I'm so incapable," her lips moved by his temple, "Why don't you get one of your men to treat you?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Inu-Yasha dispelled her discretion, booming loudly. "I plan to have my way with you after."

"WHAT?!"

"We'll start on the floor and end up against the wall."

The crowd by the tunnels jeered.

Kagome managed a choked sputter, her blush racing down her neck and out to her ears. "Jerk!"

His voice lowered. "Why are you surprised? They're watching."

"What happened to not making me into a joke?" She muttered through clenched teeth.

"I'm not. This is expected practice."

"Some leader. Bound by his men's expectations."

He shrugged. "They follow who they relate to."

"I'll never follow you."

"You will," Inu-Yasha pressed the heel of his hand into her shoulder, settling her feet flat. "If we don't get going, I'll be forced to grab some body part and comment on its firmness or heft for their benefit," amber eyes dropped to her chest meaningfully.

"I'd like to see you try."

He grinned wide enough to show fangs. "I bet you would."

Kagome's flush burned hotter. "We're not really going to…?"

Inu-Yasha rolled his eyes. "Of course not," he bent to her ear. "I only take what's given."

She reared back, whipping her head as far from his as her trapped hand would allow. "I'll never give."

If he noticed her reaction, he made no sign of it. "So be it," his gaze flicked to the men by the tunnel. "I think these four are waiting for a show," he considered them. "You can argue with me this once," he decided, speaking just to her.

Kagome lifted her chin. "I can do that, with or without your permission."

Inu-Yasha grinned again. "I know."

She raised her fists, wrenching free from his hold and erupting in a screech. "Get away from me! Don't TOUCH me!"

He winced at the sudden volume. "Don't tell me what to do, woman!" His snarl was only partly-feigned.

"I'll do what I want! You can't order me around!"

The hanyou by the passage shifted closer, eyes wide at her gall.

"I can and will!" Inu-Yasha glanced to them, trying to reclaim her elbow. "We're leaving!"

Kagome yelled louder, evading his grasp. "Drop dead! I'm not going anywhere, least of all your sheets!"

"Who says you'd get bed?" He shouted. "You'll be on your knees and like it!"

Her mouth dropped. "WHAT!?"

Inu-Yasha turned every shade of red.

"PIG!" Her palm connected with his cheek, and the slap rang throughout the hall.

"Ow!"

"You'll get more!" She screamed. "I bite worse than hanyou females! Not that you'd KNOW!"

"HEY!"

"On my knees?!"

"IT CAME TO MIND!"

"A RARE EVENT!"

"Stop shrieking!"

"MAKE ME!"

Without warning, Inu-Yasha seized her around the waist and slung her roughly to his shoulder, throwing on a smirk for the cluster of men. "I better see if arguing is the only thing that makes her scream."

They cheered, thrusting their fists into the air.

"Go for it, boss!"

"Teach the wench a lesson!"

"Pup her!"

Inu-Yasha rushed into the second tunnel, taking a set of stairs three-at-a-time. Once engulfed in shadows, he growled, "Overdo it much?"

Kagome elbowed his face away. "When we get to your room, I may actually bite you. No bed indeed!"

"Oh, come on. I didn't mean it."

She sulked from her roost. "At least I got to slap you."

He fought back the beginnings of another smile, already feeling his temper drain away. "Your idea of foreplay?" He joked, trying to reference Shippo's egregious mention without being obvious.

"Better than yours," Kagome heard the shift in his tone and smiled, remembering the fox's naivety.

Inu-Yasha sensed her mirth. "What is it?"

"Nothing."

He continued climbing the stairs. "Are you thinking of that little kitsune?" He asked casually. "I heard what he said to you."

"No."

"I don't believe you."

"I don't care," she huffed. "How'd you hear anyway? What were you doing? Lurking and watching us?"

The shoulders and back under her stiffened.

Kagome's mouth dropped. "You were!"

"I wasn't!"

She wagged a finger at his backside, unable to hide her glee. "You were creeping around, spying on us!" Her laugh echoed down the tunnel. "Hope we gave you a good show!"

Inu-Yasha hurried through the passage, fighting down a resurging temper and new embarrassment.